Wakamow Valley is a popular place to get some exercise and enjoy the scenery, but possible development near the river has prompted one resident to create a petition opposing the idea.
Caron Berg has started a petition on Change.org called “Leave Our Valley Alone.” Aimed at Mayor Fraser Tolmie and city council, Berg’s petition “is to prevent any change to the (official) community plan (OCP) that would allow for future development in the flood and flood fringe zone in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. It (the petition) is also specifically in respect to deny the application for the development of the River Pointe Park Subdivision.”
Berg lives on Keith Crescent in a home that overlooks the valley, she explained. Her parents moved into the home in the late 1970s and spent decades building a life for the family and investing time in the community. When her mother left a few years ago, Berg and her family moved into the residence.
Upon learning that city council was considering a subdivision development in the area, Berg created the Facebook page “Leave Our Valley Alone.” She didn’t want to see development there since many residents use the valley regularly, whether it’s walking, biking, or hiking; she walks her dog there every morning. The area has also become busier ever since the coronavirus pandemic hit.
“It’s such an awesome area; it’s so beautiful. I would hate to see development ruin that,” she said, adding she and other homeowners would also hate to see the view interrupted.
Besides the development itself, the issue of flooding, the amount of work required to construct the subdivision, and the increase in traffic also concerns Berg.
Berg’s goal with the Facebook page is to have everyone on council join it — including election candidates — so they can what residents think about this initiative. Berg is also promoting the page to anyone who is in favour of the development, as a way to foster good dialogue between opposing views.
“I want to keep this respectful. It’s about us being a voice (for Moose Jaw) and not being rude,” she said.
The petition is the official document for this issue, but some Facebook group members plan to seek signatures by going door-knocking in the area. Other members are also writing letters that can be sent to city council before the Oct. 19 regular meeting, when council will hear public input on the proposed development and change to the OCP.
Berg appreciated that council was letting residents provide feedback, especially since developer Charles Vanden Broek was allowed to present his case before council. She hoped council listened to those community voices.
“Yes, it is big money coming into the city and I know they want that, however, there is something to be said about community and the city and the people. I want them to hear what people want with the valley … ,” she said. “Money can’t buy that beauty.”
Potentially amending the OCP to allow for development in flood zones doesn’t make sense, considering there is plenty of property elsewhere where developers could build, Berg said. Homeowners would have problems acquiring insurance, while the area could be blocked off if flooding occurred.
“It creates a lot of mess in the end, especially if you have residential added into there too,” she continued. “I’m hoping they really don’t move forward with changing that, because then it’s not just down here, it’s anywhere in Moose Jaw.”
Berg believes council should leave the valley alone since the area has natural beauty, plenty of wildlife, a viable ecosystem environment, and much history attached to the land itself.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind space in Moose Jaw,” she added.
